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Thursday, May 21, 2015

Italian Cookies ~ Ally's Kitchen A Passport for Adventurous Palates

I am so glad that today is finally here, and I get to share with you about Ally's Kitchen ~ a passport for adventurous palates. I am so fortunate to have received an advance copy of this one of a kind cookbook.

Let me tell you a little about Ally. I have the pleasure of knowing Ally online, where you are able to meet up with so many like minded people. People who inspire. People who guide. Ally is one of these inspirational people. When I found out she was from South Carolina, I wasn't the least bit surprised... You all know how much I love South Carolina, and the people that live there!

"Ally's Kitchen ~ a passport for adventurous palates" will have you joining Ally on her magic carpet ride around the world. She has dishes from around the world that will having you wanting to taste her recipes, as well as get your passport dusted off and see a fraction of what she has seen! The passport stamps throughout the book really add to the charm.

Ally encourages you to take each recipe and make it your own. Experiment. Try new things. Ally is Bohemian Bold, and it shows!

I have so many recipes flagged that I am excited to try. Truckin' Man is even excited to try Ally's Lemon Pepper Grilled Steak with warm butter herb sauce.

I decided to share with you Italian Cookies. Ally learned how to make this cookie while in Italy. Honestly, as I was standing in my kitchen, working this cookie dough... reading Ally's words....the scent created by these simple, but amazing ingredients... I almost expected to hear some Italian music start playing in my kitchen. I am sure at this point, Ally would encourage you to find an Italian CD to pop in and that would be the perfect "Mood Maker". There are lots of Mood Makers listed with recipes, just another fun way each recipe is enhanced to the next level.

I have never made a cookie with no dairy, and no eggs. But, let me tell you... It. Is. Amazing. The only change I made to this recipe is that instead of a Chardonnay, I used a Pinot Gregio. We don't drink much wine at all, and when we do we prefer red. So, this was perfect use for our remaining Pinot Gregio.
The flavor in these cookies is like no other. Light. Fruity.

For a chance to win a copy of Ally's Kitchen ~ a passport for adventurous palates,
scroll down for the Rafflecopter entry.

On your countertop (or cutting board), place two cups of flour, and make a well in the center. To the well add extra virgin olive oil, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and salt. With your hands work the sugar into the oil. Add one cup of flour, and start working that in. (Ally tells you it's messy here, but just hang in there). Work in the flour that is around the oil mixture. Add half cup of flour, continuing to mix with hands.

Slowly, add the wine. I added about 1/4 cup at a time. Continue to mix, and add wine until all is added. Add more flour until dough can be shaped into a ball.

Tear off small about of dough, and roll into a rope. Shape as desired. Ally suggest pinwheels, knots or donut holes. I made most of mine into knots.

Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar to small plate. Dip each cookie into sugar, covering well. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets. Bake 17-21 minutes or until just light golden. Be careful to not overbake. Cool for three-five minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

12 comments:

OMG!!! What an amazing post, Kris!! I read this w/such a big smile on my face as you talked about no dairy and then the music that you thought might just come piping through the ceiling! I just wish I could have made that happen...imagine the look on your face! I think your 'boho' using pinot wine is perfect...actually, I'm going to use that next time since it is a little fruitier. Your photos are stunning and I love love the shapes you've created...you're making me look really really good! Thank you, my sweet dear friend...I'm very grateful for you taking time from your busy schedule and devoting it to me...sending lots of love and appreciation! ~peace~ ally

Kris, it's so fun to see how you "boho'd" Ally's recipe -- your Italian cookies look wonderful! I loved your thoughts on Mood Makers and the scent of the dough while you were making these... ahhhhhh. Thanks for a terrific review!

I'm always looking for a new recipe and your Italian Cookie sure is one to try. They look and sound delicious. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

I love the idea of wine in cookies - they look absolutely gorgeous. I was really interested to read about Ally's cookbook too! Visiting from Joanne's Say G'day Saturday Party. Hope you are having a lovely weekend!

Thank you April for mentioning the Say G'day Party! What a lovely cookbook this looks indeed and these cookies so remind me of when I was little growing up in New York surrounded by old world Italian families Kris!Pinned and look forward to seeing you next week!

These do indeed sound just amazing. I do make Italian cookies but never with no eggs haha Or have I ever used wine in baking, very interesting indeed. I make a Greek butter cookie with coqnac and a clove in the center to die for but very expensive to make with all butter. I will indeed be making these cookies, and I thank you ever so much, hugs :-) :-)